May 18, 2011
Science Academy marks
25 years
by Terry Myers
The Deep River Science Academy is not just about helping high school
students develop an interest in science as a career choice - it's about
setting the stage for a better future for the world.
That was the message Saturday from Dr. Alistair Miller, one of the
co-founders of the DRSA, during the kick-off of the Science Academy's
25th anniversary celebrations.
Miller was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies for the
anniversary events, held Saturday morning at the Real Hope Christian
Assembly.
Miller said that advances in science and technology even during the
course of his career have been “prodigious,” as the world has moved
from steam locomotives and natural fibres like wool, the first IBM
mainframe computers and letter mail, to high-speed trains, synthetic
fabrics like Kevlar, iMac computers, and Skype.
Miller said Canada has “contributed in many ways in all of those
areas,” but that as a country, we remain “over-reliant” on natural
resources.
“It shouldn't be in any way difficult to understand the importance of
science and technology,” he said.
And yet, faced with career choices, many students are urged to “be a
hockey star” or go into other fields of entertainment.
“We could end the NHL tomorrow and life would go on,” he said.
“But end science and technology and life would literally end for some
people.”
Miller said the issues the world faces in the future, ranging from
greenhouse gas emissions to the preservation of water resources, will
be even more daunting.
“As complex as the world has been, the future challenges are absolutely
immense.”
And that's why it's so important to provide opportunities for young
people to explore a future in science and technology, to allow them to
help make good decisions about how to meet the challenges that lie in
wait.
“That's what the Science Academy is about, helping to lay the
foundation of the world's future,” Miller said.
Miller co-founded the DRSA in 1986 with colleague Dr. John Hardy.
The program provides six weeks of summer school in science courses to
high school age students who also have the opportunity to work in real,
hands-on research.
Current chairman of the DRSA board, Carl Turner, said that since that
time, the Science Academy has opened its doors to more than 1,200
students, under the guidance of more than 600 tutors and supervisors
and over 300 scientists in the area.
“It's a tribute to the founders of the DRSA that the Science Academy
has thrived for 25 years and will continue to thrive for many more,” he
said.
Deep River Mayor David Thompson was on hand to bring congratulations
from the town.
Thompson recalled how he was a rookie councillor 26 years ago when the
council of the day was approached by two “self-described fuzzy-haired
scientists,” Miller and Hardy.
He said that although he was “a little skeptical” about the idea
himself, “luckily we had the foresight of the good mayor at the time,
Lyall Smith,” and council backed the first program with a kick-off loan.
Thompson was part of the first board of directors and said he
remembered one of the students in the first year arrived from the
Northwest Territories after spending five days on the bus to get to
Deep River.
“That's when you start to get the idea that maybe we're on to something
here,” he said.
Thompson said many of the Science Academy's students over the years
have gone on to be tutors, and some have gone on from there to return
to Chalk River as employees.
And even those who don't return carry their experience of the area with
them.
“I think of the thousands of ambassadors literally around the world who
speak fondly of their time at the Deep River Science Academy and Deep
River,” he said.
The 25th anniversary celebrations continued with events through the day
Saturday, culminating in a dinner Saturday evening with guest speaker
Bob McDonald of CBC's “Quirks and Quarks.”
|
